Comments for Ryan Macklinhttp://RyanMacklin.com
Writer, Editor, Game MakerThu, 09 Jun 2016 13:04:29 +0000hourly1Comment on How I Grill Corn (taking inspiration from elotes) by Wayne Zombiehttp://RyanMacklin.com/2016/06/spiced-buttered-corn/comment-page-1/#comment-40819
Thu, 09 Jun 2016 13:04:29 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=7101#comment-40819I’m not a fan of mayo due to some serious illnesses that I had that I suspect were due to bad mayo. I have heard that if you make your own mayo fresh, that it’s a totally different experience. I have not yet done that.
]]>Comment on How I Grill Corn (taking inspiration from elotes) by Ryan Macklinhttp://RyanMacklin.com/2016/06/spiced-buttered-corn/comment-page-1/#comment-40817
Wed, 08 Jun 2016 18:13:32 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=7101#comment-40817Totally. I get the chemistry behind it, which is why I’ll try it if someone else makes it. But yeah, I just can’t work in on my own.

It’s probably the eggs. I also can’t handle the smell of boiled eggs—I had to leave the house when my old roommate made deviled eggs for parties. (I can do pan-cooked eggs no problem, though.)

]]>Comment on How I Grill Corn (taking inspiration from elotes) by blackcoathttp://RyanMacklin.com/2016/06/spiced-buttered-corn/comment-page-1/#comment-40816
Wed, 08 Jun 2016 18:10:50 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=7101#comment-40816So, the thing that the mayonnaise will get you[1] is adhesion as it cooks (because of the eggs). Also the oil cuts the fat in the eggs, raising the smoke point (so you can get a darker char without that bitter burned taste). It’s the secret to every perfect grilled cheese you’ve had in a restaurant.

I’d add a little fresh lemon or lime (or even some vinegar) after cooking to have the acid break up the fat a little on the tongue.

But yeah, fuck yeah grilled corn however you make it!

[1] I totally get the turned off by it, my wife hates it

]]>Comment on Coming April 2016… by Rob Abrazadohttp://RyanMacklin.com/2016/03/coming-april-2016/comment-page-1/#comment-40604
Mon, 28 Mar 2016 02:21:25 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=7076#comment-40604Wooooooo!
]]>Comment on How I Got Better at Replying to Email by Randy Eckenrodehttp://RyanMacklin.com/2016/03/better-replying-email/comment-page-1/#comment-40563
Wed, 23 Mar 2016 02:41:56 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=7073#comment-40563That’s a remarkably GTD-like process (sometimes also called ‘inbox zero’). I find it invaluable not just for getting things done but also for having an increased awareness of the general goings on at work. I also think (as you note) that people appreciate having their request acknowledged even when it can’t be addressed right away, which helps create an environment of trust.
]]>Comment on Space Wizards: an Unofficial K&T Hack by Philhttp://RyanMacklin.com/2016/02/space-wizards/comment-page-1/#comment-40344
Sat, 12 Mar 2016 22:03:49 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=7067#comment-40344See, the video I think of when someone says “Space Wizards” is

]]>Comment on A Guide to Freelancing for Me by Lironahhttp://RyanMacklin.com/2016/02/a-guide-to-freelancing-for-me/comment-page-1/#comment-40019
Wed, 10 Feb 2016 01:24:46 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=7054#comment-40019Got it, boss. *salutes*
]]>Comment on A Guide to Freelancing for Me by John Arcadianhttp://RyanMacklin.com/2016/02/a-guide-to-freelancing-for-me/comment-page-1/#comment-40015
Tue, 09 Feb 2016 20:21:19 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=7054#comment-40015Very awesome advice. I’ve rarely sought out freelancing work, mainly because I like working on my own projects, but the times I have the parameters from companies feel right in line with this list.

#5 speaks to issues I’ve had in the past in all forms of freelancing. Communication lets me know nothing fell apart. Even if there is a problem, I know it isn’t one that isn’t being addressed.

]]>Comment on A Guide to Freelancing for Me by T.R. Knighthttp://RyanMacklin.com/2016/02/a-guide-to-freelancing-for-me/comment-page-1/#comment-40009
Tue, 09 Feb 2016 01:02:19 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=7054#comment-40009What an inspired and thorough list for all freelancers. Thanks for sharing it with a personal and heartfelt attitude.
]]>Comment on A Guide to Freelancing for Me by James J. Haeckhttp://RyanMacklin.com/2016/02/a-guide-to-freelancing-for-me/comment-page-1/#comment-40008
Mon, 08 Feb 2016 21:39:45 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=7054#comment-40008This is a great list! Good for any kind of RPG freelancer.
]]>Comment on Let Some Quiet In by Heath Wilderhttp://RyanMacklin.com/2016/01/let-some-quiet-in/comment-page-1/#comment-40005
Sun, 07 Feb 2016 01:53:01 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=7014#comment-40005Amen brother. A lot like vipassana. Not that I’ve ever done it but friends and family have and I’ve seen them with new insights post.

And a great idea that I’ll try with my employment to tease out the reasons behind my current jaded out look.

]]>Comment on The Goal of Making Readers Feel by Lironahhttp://RyanMacklin.com/2016/01/the-goal-of-making-readers-feel/comment-page-1/#comment-39929
Wed, 20 Jan 2016 03:59:41 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=7016#comment-39929Reminds me of the book Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML. Used lots of humor to make the stuff stick. Also, pretty pictures. ;D
]]>Comment on The Good Fight Against Micro-Frustrations by Kithttp://RyanMacklin.com/2016/01/the-good-fight-against-micro-frustrations/comment-page-1/#comment-39911
Thu, 14 Jan 2016 21:32:47 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=7024#comment-39911Re: footnote [3], and badly emulating Latin, at that: consider the latin use of tmesis! (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tmesis#Latin for example.)
]]>Comment on Rating the Four Fate Actions Themselves by Ryan Macklinhttp://RyanMacklin.com/2016/01/rating-the-four-fate-actions-themselves/comment-page-1/#comment-39907
Thu, 14 Jan 2016 17:10:23 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=6976#comment-39907Interesting. Overcome doesn’t really fit into that paradigm, but that’s a neat way to view Attack, Defend, and Create.
]]>Comment on Rating the Four Fate Actions Themselves by Chris Dolunthttp://RyanMacklin.com/2016/01/rating-the-four-fate-actions-themselves/comment-page-1/#comment-39903
Thu, 14 Jan 2016 14:41:09 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=6976#comment-39903I read this and immediately thought:
Attack = DPS
Defend = Tank
Create Advantage = Healer (Buff)
Overcome Obstacle = Healer (Debuff)

]]>Comment on Rating the Four Fate Actions Themselves by Ryan Macklinhttp://RyanMacklin.com/2016/01/rating-the-four-fate-actions-themselves/comment-page-1/#comment-39898
Wed, 13 Jan 2016 18:15:16 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=6976#comment-39898Much like Spider-Man, I go where needed.
]]>Comment on Rating the Four Fate Actions Themselves by Rory Bhttp://RyanMacklin.com/2016/01/rating-the-four-fate-actions-themselves/comment-page-1/#comment-39892
Wed, 13 Jan 2016 07:42:30 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=6976#comment-39892You just blew my mind.
]]>Comment on Using Questions as Headers by Ryan Macklinhttp://RyanMacklin.com/2016/01/using-questions-as-headers/comment-page-1/#comment-39885
Tue, 12 Jan 2016 18:50:21 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=6990#comment-39885There are situations where they’re good, and situations where they’re not. Use thoughtfulness, don’t follow someone’s style dogmatically. (That’s how we get crappy English teachers.)
]]>Comment on Using Questions as Headers by Simon Brunninghttp://RyanMacklin.com/2016/01/using-questions-as-headers/comment-page-1/#comment-39884
Tue, 12 Jan 2016 15:22:06 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=6990#comment-39884Then there’s the anti-FAQ position: https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2013/07/25/faqs-why-we-dont-have-them/
]]>Comment on Using Questions as Headers by Ryan Macklinhttp://RyanMacklin.com/2016/01/using-questions-as-headers/comment-page-1/#comment-39869
Thu, 07 Jan 2016 20:23:55 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=6990#comment-39869Amended the post based on our Twitter discussion. Also:https://storify.com/RyanMacklin/talking-about-using-questions-as-headers
]]>Comment on Using Questions as Headers by Derek Guderhttp://RyanMacklin.com/2016/01/using-questions-as-headers/comment-page-1/#comment-39867
Thu, 07 Jan 2016 20:02:07 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=6990#comment-39867When you have a chance, a follow-up on this in contexts where questions are the standard form (i.e. FAQs) would be interesting.

Personally, I find FAQ or question-based formats useful for initial introduction but they always feel imprecise and bloated later, after the material is more comfortable. They’re great intro and companion content, but not core, basically.

There’s also the question of how to identify the questions that you should be including, especially if you don’t have the time to rigorously poll new users on their issues.

]]>Comment on The Goal of Making Readers Feel by Alistairhttp://RyanMacklin.com/2016/01/the-goal-of-making-readers-feel/comment-page-1/#comment-39865
Thu, 07 Jan 2016 19:35:15 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=7016#comment-39865That’s an intriguing post. I might share it with my class in the new year. Not often, when teaching kids to write procedural instructions do we think about the emotions we’re aiming for. Thanks Ryan.
]]>Comment on Being “Right” Isn’t Worth Burning Bridges by Wayne Zombiehttp://RyanMacklin.com/2015/12/being-right-isnt-worth-burning-bridges/comment-page-1/#comment-39776
Fri, 11 Dec 2015 13:26:33 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=6995#comment-39776When I was in high school and started working retail selling cameras and audio equipment, the first thing that I was taught by management was “Never get in to an argument with a customer: you might win the argument, but you’ll lose the customer.” I think it applies to pretty much all situations: when an argument becomes emotional, your rational mind moves to the corner to avoid the explosions.

Which is why I avoid Facebook and discussing politics with anyone online and some people in person.

]]>Comment on Being “Right” Isn’t Worth Burning Bridges by Ryan Macklinhttp://RyanMacklin.com/2015/12/being-right-isnt-worth-burning-bridges/comment-page-1/#comment-39767
Wed, 09 Dec 2015 21:58:54 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=6995#comment-39767Yes. I’ve written about that a few times before, and am generally a loud advocate of fixing relationships with vocal conversations (as I write about athttp://ryanmacklin.com/2014/11/fixing-relationships-with-vocal-conversation/).
]]>Comment on Being “Right” Isn’t Worth Burning Bridges by Scum of Dunwallhttp://RyanMacklin.com/2015/12/being-right-isnt-worth-burning-bridges/comment-page-1/#comment-39764
Wed, 09 Dec 2015 04:47:55 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=6995#comment-39764Do you feel, that text communtication robs something from relatioships?
]]>Comment on On Approaches Making Fate Better by Ryan Macklinhttp://RyanMacklin.com/2015/11/on-approaches-making-fate-better/comment-page-1/#comment-39737
Fri, 04 Dec 2015 18:26:36 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=6967#comment-39737Sure. Once you get into a space where it takes more than a sentence for each to handle confusion or arguments, then they aren’t good approaches. Aspects are the only place in Fate where people should be arguing esoterica. :D
]]>Comment on On Approaches Making Fate Better by Jesshttp://RyanMacklin.com/2015/11/on-approaches-making-fate-better/comment-page-1/#comment-39735
Fri, 04 Dec 2015 05:38:00 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=6967#comment-39735If I understand correctly, it seems to me like the language used for these alternate approaches would have to tap into a shared understanding of language between the players, and the more it is distant from the baseline approaches for FAE (and from generally understood language) that they would have to be tied into a shared understanding of the setting and how these tie the characters to it, like your Katanas & Trenchcoats approaches seem to create a shared set of values that all of the charcater have in common.
I could see the possibility of using an elemental system in a setting where the elements are core to it and possess a communally understood set of traits, not character defining traits like skills, but things like solid, stubborn and heavy for Earth. A spread like: Air, Earth, Fire, Light, Shadow and Water could make sense.
]]>Comment on On Approaches Making Fate Better by Nicola Corticellihttp://RyanMacklin.com/2015/11/on-approaches-making-fate-better/comment-page-1/#comment-39555
Fri, 27 Nov 2015 08:40:12 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=6967#comment-39555Hello. I am an Italian player.I translate your articles in my own Language.

Good work

]]>Comment on How Destiny Made Me Rethink Setting Details by Lughhttp://RyanMacklin.com/2015/11/how-destiny-made-me-rethink-setting-details/comment-page-1/#comment-39544
Wed, 25 Nov 2015 18:40:25 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=6963#comment-39544I want to plug one of my favorite small press games here, Edge of Midnight.

The setting is an alt-Earth that is somewhere post-WWII but with a wide range of funkiness. It is basically an amalgam of noir movies (because it’s a film noir RPG) rather than a coherent world. Oh, and it has “warlocks”, which are scientists that have figured out that the laws of physics have some very odd loopholes that can be exploited.

The PCs are almost definitely among The Few. These are people that have looked around and noticed some things. Like the fact that *no one* has any memories going back before the end of the war. And *no one* but The Few are bothered by this. And the fact that the laws of physics really shouldn’t have loopholes. Why is all this happening? What is the nature of reality?

The cool thing, as with Destiny, is that nobody knows. The GM section of the rulebook actually gives five completely different possible explanations. And encourages you to come up with your own. It is crazy easy to do a setting infodump, because the infodump just ends after a few paragraphs with “and that’s all we know. Your job is to fill in the rest of the blanks.”

It’s the obvious flipside to starting a character knowing nothing more than their name and stats and creating the backstory on the fly.

]]>Comment on On Approaches Making Fate Better by Lennyhttp://RyanMacklin.com/2015/11/on-approaches-making-fate-better/comment-page-1/#comment-39527
Thu, 19 Nov 2015 22:52:02 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=6967#comment-39527I’ve been thinking hard about resurrecting some of the thematic battery action from Full Light, Full Steam to incorporate Smallville-like Values into FAE or a Faith Corps build.
]]>Comment on On Approaches Making Fate Better by Ryan Macklinhttp://RyanMacklin.com/2015/11/on-approaches-making-fate-better/comment-page-1/#comment-39526
Thu, 19 Nov 2015 21:49:43 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=6967#comment-39526That misses the whole point I’m talking about. Those are like Roles in Leverage/Cortex Plus, where each one limits scopes of action rather than pins the language requirements on positioning and circumstance described.

Unless you use those as meta-skills, but that’s a different subject. I’m not talking about ways to drift skills and other competency frameworks.

]]>Comment on On Approaches Making Fate Better by Scum of Dunwallhttp://RyanMacklin.com/2015/11/on-approaches-making-fate-better/comment-page-1/#comment-39525
Thu, 19 Nov 2015 20:30:18 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=6967#comment-39525What about context-providing ‘professions’?

These outline characters in broad strokes, but in limited degree provide hows, whys whats and whos while unique character aspects accentualize details, like what they do or how they do it. Details, that players specificly want to highlight about their characters.

]]>Comment on How Destiny Made Me Rethink Setting Details by Scum of Dunwallhttp://RyanMacklin.com/2015/11/how-destiny-made-me-rethink-setting-details/comment-page-1/#comment-39524
Thu, 19 Nov 2015 18:19:08 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=6963#comment-39524If I will sure of their quality and that it really fulfills that promise – yes, I would. And not just one, most probably.
]]>Comment on How Destiny Made Me Rethink Setting Details by Ken Burnsidehttp://RyanMacklin.com/2015/11/how-destiny-made-me-rethink-setting-details/comment-page-1/#comment-39521
Wed, 18 Nov 2015 20:46:47 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=6963#comment-39521I keep telling myself that I can make a usable RPG setting as a 3-fold brochure.

Printed duplex, it has 6 slots. Each slot is 8.5 x 3.67″ wide.

Slot 1:
Cover art, and the one paragraph “setting pitch” Think the blurb on the back of a paperback book.
Slot 2:
Back page publisher information.
Slot 3:
Set up the Problem For the Players To Solve. Outline the antagonists.
Slot 4:
Give suggestions for character hooks and customization options
Slots 5 & 6 (adjacent):
Graphical relationship map of the antagonists, with “Plug in character interactions here” outlined around the perimeter.

I think they’d go well with Minimus.

Would you spend 99 cents on a 2-page PDF that promised a campaign skeleton to work from?

]]>Comment on How Destiny Made Me Rethink Setting Details by Scum of Dunwallhttp://RyanMacklin.com/2015/11/how-destiny-made-me-rethink-setting-details/comment-page-1/#comment-39519
Wed, 18 Nov 2015 20:12:04 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=6963#comment-39519Thanks. This is exactly what I needed.
]]>Comment on Random Improbable Last-Minute Script Edits & Walk-Ons by Scum of Dunwallhttp://RyanMacklin.com/2015/09/random-improbable-last-minute-script-edits-walk-ons/comment-page-1/#comment-39508
Sat, 14 Nov 2015 11:24:10 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=6790#comment-39508Cheering crowd gives a hero comically stupid, yet still badass nickname
]]>Comment on My Illness Isn’t Your Excuse by Paul Tevishttp://RyanMacklin.com/2015/10/my-illness-isnt-your-excuse/comment-page-1/#comment-39444
Tue, 27 Oct 2015 21:52:59 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=6925#comment-39444Yeah, one of my rules in hiring interviews at work is “I’m not going to make decisions for this person.” When I get questions like “Will this person be able to handle the commute?” or “Will they accept the potential change in status from their last job?” my response is “That’s up to them to figure out, not me.” I believe in treating people like adults.
]]>Comment on How Destiny Inspires Me by Scum of Dunwallhttp://RyanMacklin.com/2015/10/how-destiny-inspires-me/comment-page-1/#comment-39355
Sat, 17 Oct 2015 17:08:10 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=6901#comment-39355You showed me unexpected way of putting things. Not intentionally, most probably, but anyway.

Next time I’d want to say: “/Something/ wasn’t made not good enough because of /x, y and z/” I will say “/Something/ inspires me to do /l, m and n/”.

Critisizing for doing things isn’t most constructive and useful habits.

]]>Comment on How Destiny Inspires Me by Krzysztofhttp://RyanMacklin.com/2015/10/how-destiny-inspires-me/comment-page-1/#comment-39325
Thu, 15 Oct 2015 21:10:32 +0000http://RyanMacklin.com/?p=6901#comment-39325Knowing absolutely *nothing* about Destiny, your take alone makes me think of so many possibilities to use in future one-shots and micro-campagins :) Thank you for that. Tha vagueness that suggests something more, something that’s a fact about a setting makes me think of the role of exploration in RPG games, and the players’ role in sotrycrafting – where players respond to the stimulus of being inspired by a suggestion and create a world by their actions and aren’t just on the receiving end of the GM’s vision.

This is what pulled me towards Numenera – the promises and vagues suggestions that the initial information about the setting gave. Honestly? The feeling of adventure faded the deeper I got into the preestablished setting when it was published, but the feeling of a potential story, and the hope that together with my players I could make more out of an exploration-focused game than just the sum of its’ parts remained. And your post makes me wonder about that some more :)

I think I mentioned to my wife once something like “My character is totally in love with the Queen, but it’s not a sex thing. It’s a… totally be consumed and enveloped by her power and aura thing. But sure, there’s probably some sexytime thoughts there because I’ve been dead for who knows how long.”